BCCI solicits applications for Team India coach

The BCCI has sounded a bugle close to the Champions Trophy by rolling out a notification for the post of Team India coach, currently occupied by former leg-spinner Anil Kumble.

Kumble, who was appointed as the head coach with a one-year contract, has since overseen series wins against Australia at home, and away at West Indies. However, BCCI has invited applications to ensure a “fair and completely transparent process”.

The deadline for submitting applications is May 31, and Kumble may well jump into the fray, having “direct entry for the process”. However, he needs to face interview with the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) consisting of Saurav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar.

“They will conduct interviews and seek presentations to select the best possible candidate to guide the team and take Indian Cricket forward,” a BCCI release said, referring to the role of the 3-member committee.

It may be recalled that Kumble had started with a 2-0 Test series win in the Caribbean, and followed it with 10 wins out of 13 Tests played at home. On the ODI front, the team clinched series against New Zealand and England respectively.

A source inside the BCCI held the view that likes and dislikes are kept aside during a major decision, and hence the need for transparency. He admitted the team had a good recent run under the coach, but observed that “most of the matches were played in India”.

On the other hand, media sources have linked recent developments to the deliberations Kumble had with BCCI authorities, and his voice for a place for the coach in the selection committee. The sources further stated Kumble sought a better pay package for non-IPL players; apart from a hike of 1 crore for the national coach.